Systems and methods for collecting television viewing data and television interactivity

Abstract

A system for collecting viewing data (or viewing habits) and automatically measuring the size of an audience viewing or watching a broadcast at any particular time is provided. In the system, a remote control device may be adapted to collect and manage the collection of the viewing data on television audiences, including requests for the data from third parties. The data may be collected using a remote control device and then transmitted to a remote computer where it may be stored and accumulated, so that over time, the viewing habits of the User may be identified. The remote control device may also be used to allow a User to interact with the television to order a product, monetize advertising, participate in an auction and/or rate a television program.

1. A method for participating in auctions using a viewing device, comprising:
 selecting a channel from a list of channels using a remote control device having a unique identification number, each channel in the list of channels associated with a different auction and the selection of the channel determines an auction to view; 
 recording the channel selected in a memory device of the remote control device along with time and date the channel was selected; 
 selecting an auction button on the remote control device indicating an interest in participating in the auction; 
 sending the channel selected and the date and time the channel was selected to a remote computer; 
 retrieving auction information from a library database, coupled to the remote computer, using the channel selected and the date and time the channel was selected to identify the auction; 
 displaying the auction on the viewing device for participation by the user; 
 prompting a user to enter a personal identification number (PIN) to confirm identity of the user after selection of the auction; 
 sending the PIN and the unique identification number of the remote control device concurrently to the remote computer for use in a successful bid on an item in the auction; and 
 confirming on the viewing device the user is a participant in the auction. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 entering a bid for an item being auctioned off; 
 sending the bid to the remote computer causing the bid to be displayed in a list of bids on the viewing device; 
 determining a winning bid; and 
 notifying a winner by sending notification to a mobile device embedded in the remote control device. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 establishing a communication link between a mobile device embedded in the remote control device and the remote computer; and 
 establishing an instant messaging session between the mobile device embedded in the remote control device and the remote computer for bidding on an item being auctioned off. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 providing the user with status of bidding process, wherein the status of the bidding process indicates a last bid received in the auction or no bids have been received. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising adding a pre-determined tax and a service fee to the winning bid. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 establishing a user account for the user; and 
 charging the user account of the user upon determination of the winning bid by the user. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising compensating an auctioneer of the auction for services rendered, wherein the auctioneer receives a percentage of the winning bid. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising compensating an auctioneer of the auction for services rendered, wherein the auctioneer is compensated by an advertising sponsor of the auction. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein an owner of the item being auctioned off is charged a fee for auctioning off the item and wherein the fee is a pre-arranged percentage or a flat fee. 
     
     
       10. A remote control device, comprising:
 means for selecting a channel from a list of channels using a remote control device having a unique identification number, each channel in the list of channels associated with a different auction and the selection of the channel determines an auction to view; 
 means for recording the channel selected in a memory device of the remote control device along with time and date the channel was selected; 
 means for selecting an auction button on the remote control device indicating an interest in participating in the auction; 
 means for sending the channel selected and the date and time the channel was selected to a remote computer; 
 means for retrieving auction information from a library database, coupled to the remote computer, using the channel selected and the date and time the channel was selected to identify the auction; 
 means for displaying the auction on the viewing device for participation by the user 
 means for prompting a user to enter a personal identification number (PIN) to confirm identity of the user after selection of the auction; 
 means for sending the PIN and the unique identification number of the remote control device concurrently to the remote computer for use in a successful bid on an item in the auction; and 
 means for confirming on the viewing device the user is a participant in the auction. 
 
     
     
       11. The remote control device of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 means for entering a bid for an item being auctioned off; 
 means for sending the bid to the remote computer causing the bid to be displayed in a list of bids on the viewing device; 
 means for determining a winning bid; and 
 means for notifying a winner by sending notification to a mobile device embedded in the remote control device. 
 
     
     
       12. The remote control device of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 means for establishing a communication link between a mobile device embedded in the remote control device and the remote computer; and 
 means for establishing an instant messaging session between the mobile device embedded in the remote control device and the remote computer for bidding on an item being auctioned off. 
 
     
     
       13. The remote control device of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 means for providing the user with status of bidding process, wherein the status of the bidding process indicates a last bid received in the auction or no bids have been received. 
 
     
     
       14. A system for participating in an auction, comprising:
 a remote computer, comprising:
 a first memory device; and 
 a first processor coupled to the first memory device, the first processor configured to communicate with a remote control device having a unique identification number, the remote control device, comprising:
 a second memory device; and 
 a second processor coupled to the second memory device, the second processor configured to
 receive a channel selected by a user using a keypad on the remote control device to view an auction, the channel selected from a listed of channels, each channel in the list of channels associated with a different auction and the selection of the channel determines an auction to view; 
 record the channel selected in the second memory device along with time and date the channel was selected; 
 receive an indication of an interest in participating in the auction by selection an auction button on the remote control device; 
 send the channel selected and the date and time the channel was selected to the remote computer; 
 receive auction information from a library database, coupled to the remote computer, using the channel selected and the date and time the channel was selected to identify the auction; 
 prompt the user to enter a personal identification number (PIN) to confirm identity of the user after selection of the auction; 
 send the PIN and the unique identification number of the remote control device concurrently to the remote computer for use in a successful bid on an item in the auction; and 
 receive confirmation the user is a participant in the auction by selection of a button on the remote control device. 
 
 
 
 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the second processor is further configured to:
 enter a bid for an item being auctioned off; and 
 send the bid to the remote computer causing the bid to be displayed in a list of bids on the viewing device. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the second processor is further configured to:
 establish a communication link with the remote computer; and 
 establish an instant messaging session with the remote computer for bidding on an item being auctioned off. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 activating a mobile device embedded within the remote control device; and 
 transmitting data to the remote control using the mobile device. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , wherein where the data includes the channel selected, the date and time the channel was selected, the PIN and the unique identification number of the remote control device. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the viewing device is an unmodified television. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 compiling data about the user; and 
 selling the compiled data to advertisers. 
 
     
     
       21. The remote control device of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 means for activating a mobile device embedded within the remote control device; and 
 means for transmitting data to the remote control using the mobile device. 
 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 14 , wherein a mobile device is embedded within the remote control device and wherein the mobile device communicates with the remote computer. 
     
     
       23. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the first processor configured further configured to:
 receive data from the remote control device, the data including bids on products and/or services in the auction; and 
 compile and analyze the data for marketing and research by advertisers and others.